Absa Premiership: Gameweek 29 Preview

The penultimate gameweek of the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season takes centre stage on Wednesday 2 September 2020 with all 16 teams involved. With so much late drama involved with South Africa’s top flight, we take a deeper look at where its sensible to put your money.

Wednesday 2 September

Stellenbosch 11/10
Draw 21/10
AmaZulu 5/2
(18:00)

Stellenbosch, for me, have been one of the best teams in the bio-bubble and they head into this game off the back of a four-match unbeaten run with two wins and two draws, which includes an emphatic victory over top-placed Kaizer Chiefs. AmaZulu finally registered their first win since the resumption of football when they beat Black Leopards 1-0 courtesy of Bongi Ntuli’s solitary strike. Ntuli has now scored 13 goals which is one shy of the league’s leading goalscorers. This also means he’s scored 72% of his team’s goals this season. Usuthu’s over-reliance on Ntuli is concerning but with players like Lehlohonolo Majoro delivering impressive performances of late, I’ll tip an upset. Take the AmaZulu win at 5/2.

SuperSport United 5/10
Draw 26/10
Baroka 6/1
(18:00)

SuperSport United were the architects of their own downfall when they succumbed 2-1 to Orlando Pirates on Saturday as two of their strikers failed to convert from the penalty spot. On the other hand, Baroka shocked Mamelodi Sundowns, who were at some point on the day riding the crest of the Absa Premiership wave with Ananias Gebhardt’s header from a corner kick handing Bakgakga three vital points. Expect these sides to cancel each other out.

Black Leopards 5/1
Draw 24/10
Bidvest Wits 6/10
(18:00)

Black Leopards plummeted to a relegation play-off spot after losing to fellow relegation candidates in AmaZulu. They tried every trick in the book to find an equaliser but a great defensive display by the opponents kept them at bay. On the other hand, Wits still have a theoretical chance of winning the league after shocking top-placed Chiefs 1-0. I’ll put my money on the visitors.

Golden Arrows 37/20
Draw 2/1
Bloemfontein Celtic 15/10
(18:00)

Golden Arrows are winless in the last five games and they head into this match off the back of a three-match losing streak. It was only a matter of time before they got hammered which they did at the hands of Cape Town City who thrashed them 4-1 the last time out. For me, this has been the worst team in the bio bubble. Heading into this encounter, Bloemfontein Celtic have played three consecutive draws and their ineptitudes in front of goal haven’t done their exciting football any justice. However, they should have enough quality to get the better of a struggling Arrows.

Highlands Park 5/2
Draw 21/10
Cape Town City 11/10
(18:00)

Highlands Park have a recent record of four consecutive draws and the news about the team being sold might be affecting the players and the technical staff. Cape Town City have been rejuvenated in recent weeks with four wins in the last five games which includes a 3-2 victory over title-chasing Sundowns. I don’t see anything besides the Citizens’ win here.

Kaizer Chiefs 9/20
Draw 28/10
Chippa United 13/2
(18:00

Kaizer Chiefs have lost two games in a row and they had almost relinquished top spot to Sundowns who fortunately from Amakhosi’s perspective also lost their game. Chippa United, who have drawn two and lost one of their last three games, can still mathematically get relegated and the goal will be to seal safety as soon as possible. Chiefs should collect maximum points in this must-win encounter.

Polokwane City 13/2
Draw 28/10
Mamelodi Sundowns 9/20
(18:00)

This won’t be as straight forward as it looks as bottom-placed Polokwane City would know that a defeat could be a s good as confirming their relegation with a game to spare. I think they’ll hold on for dear life against a Sundowns outfit who’ve shown weaknesses when it comes to breaking down stubborn defences. Take the draw at 28/10.

Maritzburg United 5/2
Draw 21/10
Orlando Pirates 11/10
(18:00)

It’s fifth against sixth on the table and both teams have an identical record of three draws, one win and one defeat in the last five games. Pirates’ win came last week against SuperSport United with Wayne Sandilands saving two penalties. Any other day, the Buccaneers could have drawn or lost that game. A share of the spoils is on the cards. 

TREBLE @ 7/1 

AmaZulu Win 5/2
Bidvest Wits Win 6/10
Kaizer Chiefs Win 9/20

Written by Benedict Ngwenya